Alex Spillius is The Daily Telegraph's Washington Correspondent.

John McCain ahead of the race

Full coverage of the US Elections 2008Always the underdog, John McCain now finds himself in the unfamiliar position of frontrunner. Favourites have to look presidential and to appeal to the conservative elements of the base.

John McCain's new TV ad (above) does a pretty good job, but a report in today's The Hill that he nearly quit the GOP in 2001 to become an Independent won't help him keep up this image of a true Republican. But surely Republicans now realize there is no one else to rally around, at least for the nomination.